67-year-old man who duped high-end hotels since 1996 arrested in Manipal

UDUPI: A 67-year-old man, who was fond of a luxurious lifestyle in high-end hotels has been arrested by the Manipal police for cheating for cheating a hotel in Manipal. The arrested Vincent John, hailing from Thootukudi in Tamil Nadu, has nearly 50 cases registered against him.

On December 7, John checked in to County Inn hotel in Manipal and told the staff that he would pay the advance on December 9. He also convinced the manager that he would check out on December 12 and ran up a bill of Rs 39,298. However, he escaped without paying up.

After the hotel management lodged a complaint, the police nabbed John from Manipal itself. Police said he would dupe hotels after taking up a room and indulged in similar cases in Delhi, Thane, Kollam and other cities in different states. A graduate, Vincent John has a total of 40 cases registered against him in different parts of the country and abroad. He has since been sent to 14 days in judicial custody.

Speaking to media persons, Police Superintendent Dr Arun K said, “Vincent John had come from Tamil Nadu and taken up a room at County Inn. During questioning, we came to know that he has cases registered against him in Delhi, Maharashtra, Kerala and other places. He would stay in star hotels and dupe them. He speaks good English and dresses well to dupe hotels. He has been doing this 1996 and 49 cases have been registered against him”.